Xolo Pass

Tijuana Xolos 1-0 Club America: The first bark is a loud one

Tijuana Xolos dominated and found a way to win.

Photo: Club Tijuana

by Jonny Rico

January 10 2014

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TIJUANA - Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente defeat the might Club America in the Estadio Caliente by a score of 1-0 with a lone strike from Cristian Pellerano in the 86th minute of play when the game seemed destined for a draw.

The match started out with the visitors applying early pressure and creating some interesting opportunities; especially down the left wing where Rubens Sambueza and left wing-back Miguel Layun would constantly connect. Tijuana were really backed up in the early minutes.

The Xolos soaked up the pressure and little by little settled into the game. By the 20th minute of play it was now Club America who were backed up into their own field. Tijuana had completely taken control of the match. In the 22nd Herculez Gomez opened up from his central position, grabbed the ball out wide right, found the end line and sent in a cross to where Fidel Martinez controlled the ball and tried to back-heel the ball, but Moises Muñoz has well aware.

The first half ended with Club America trying to punt out the ball away from their goal, as Xolos pressured for the opening goal.

THe second half started in the same fashion. With the home on top looking for that opening goal. Through out the second half goalkeeper Moises Muñoz had to become a hero for his team.

Joe Corona had the clearest goal scoring opportunity when he received the ball on the edge of the box, cut right through America captain Aquivaldo Mosquera and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with his shot that ended up bouncing off the post.

Around the 70th minute the visiting America were able to get a hold of the ball and push a little up the field. They could never manage to create much danger on Cirilo Saucedo’s goal like they did in the opening 20 minutes.

When the match looked like it was heading for a 0-0 draw another well elaborated play where Edgar Castillo dribbled to the end line and sent in a cross found it’s way to Cristian Pellerano who was arriving at the top of the box to put in the ball.

Xolos will now travel to Pachuca for a week three match up against the Tuzos before returning home to face Morelia.